Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Chapter 46 — शालग्रामादिमूर्तिलक्षणकथनं
Exposition of the Characteristics of Śālagrāma and Other Sacred Forms
सुदर्शनस्त्वेकचक्रो लक्ष्मीनारायणो द्वयात् त्रिचक्रश्चाच्युतो देवस्त्रिचक्रको वा त्रिविक्रमः
sudarśanastvekacakro lakṣmīnārāyaṇo dvayāt tricakraścācyuto devastricakrako vā trivikramaḥ
Celui qui porte un seul disque est appelé Sudarśana; celui qui en porte deux est Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa. Celui qui en porte trois est le dieu Acyuta; ou bien, le porteur de trois disques est nommé Trivikrama.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Provides a practical naming/identification rule for Viṣṇu-forms based on cakra-count (one/two/three), used in icon selection, consecration naming, and correct mantra-address in worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Cakra-bheda: naming Viṣṇu-forms by number of discus (Sudarśana, Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, Acyuta/Trivikrama)","lookup_keywords":["ekachakra sudarshana","dvichakra lakshmi narayana","trichakra achyuta","trichakra trivikrama","chakra bheda"],"quick_summary":"A compact rule: one-cakra form is Sudarśana; two-cakra is Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa; three-cakra is Acyuta (or alternatively Trivikrama). This prevents misnaming and misaddress in ritual and iconography."}
Concept: Nāma is anchored in rūpa-lakṣaṇa; correct designation (saṃjñā) follows observable iconographic criteria (cakra-bheda).
Application: During pūjā and pratiṣṭhā, match the invoked name to the icon’s cakra-count; in workshops, use cakra-number as a quick QA check for commissions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-nama / Chakra-bheda and iconographic-identificatory theology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic chart-like scene: three Viṣṇu icons shown side-by-side—one holding/marked with a single cakra (Sudarśana), one with two cakras (Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa), and one with three cakras (Acyuta/Trivikrama), with emphasis on counting the discs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych: three Viṣṇu forms in stylized temple mural palette; each panel highlights the number of cakras with bright gold/yellow discs; minimal text-like glyphs implied; ornate floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: three framed deity panels with heavy gold embossing; cakras rendered as raised gold discs (1, 2, 3); Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa panel includes Lakṣmī beside Nārāyaṇa; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional composition with clear spacing; three figures with precisely drawn cakras; subtle gold; clean background; emphasis on counting and identification.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: manuscript illustration showing three icons on a palace terrace; attendants pointing to the cakras; fine detailing of discs and ornaments; illuminated margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुदर्शनस्त्वेकचक्रो → सुदर्शनः तु एकचक्रः; लक्ष्मीनारायणो → लक्ष्मी-नारायणः; त्रिचक्रश्चाच्युतो → त्रिचक्रः च अच्युतः; देवस्त्रिचक्रको → देवः त्रिचक्रकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 46.9 (Trivikrama identifiers); Agni Purana 46.7–46.10 (Viṣṇu-form lakṣaṇa series)
FAQs
It gives an iconographic rule for identifying and naming Vishnu-forms in worship: the deity’s name is determined by the number of cakras (disci) depicted/visualized (one, two, or three).
It catalogs practical classificatory knowledge used in temple imagery, meditation (dhyāna), and pūjā—showing how the text functions as a manual that links theology (names like Acyuta/Trivikrama) with concrete visual markers (cakra-count).
Correct identification and invocation of the intended Vishnu-form supports accurate devotion (bhakti) and properly directed mantra/visualization, traditionally held to enhance the efficacy and merit (puṇya) of worship.